Criminal Fraud Powerhouse

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Serious Fraud

Serious Fraud

“The team is internationally established with a reputation for skilfully handling high-profile criminal, commercial and tax fraud investigations, including for the SFO’s highest-profile targets.”
Who’s Who Legal

BCL’s reputation as one of the pre-eminent business crime firms is in large part based on its experience and expertise in representing individuals and companies in serious fraud investigations. Its lawyers have been involved in the majority of the most significant investigations and prosecutions conducted by the Serious Fraud Office since its inception in the late 1980s, as well as responding to fraud investigations conducted by other agencies including HMRC, the FCA, and the NCA.

As experienced criminal lawyers we are able to deal with all stages of a serious fraud investigation from the initial stages involving the execution of search warrants (dawn raids), arrest and interviews under caution at the police station (see also Police Station Advice) through to representations that no charges should be brought and, failing that, preparation for and representation at trial. If appropriate, we will challenge the legality of the actions of the investigating authority (see also Judicial Review). While regularly securing successful results for our clients at trial, our priority is to try and avoid our clients facing the trial process at all by responding proactively to an investigation with the aim of persuading the authorities not to prosecute.

Our substantial experience of serious fraud investigations means that we are also well placed to advise individuals and companies who find themselves in the position of witnesses to the matters under investigation and who may be subject to notices issued by the investigating authorities requiring the compulsory production of documents and/or attendance in interview for questioning (for example section 2 notices issued by the SFO).

The ease with which money can be transferred around the world means that many serious fraud investigations will have an international element. BCL’s lawyers are experienced in defending in multi-jurisdictional investigations (see Crossborder Crime), and in working closely with lawyers in other jurisdictions to ensure a co-ordinated response.

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“POCA”) creates a set of very broadly defined money laundering offences, which are increasingly alleged by the police (or other law enforcement authorities, such as the FCA, HMRC, and the SFO) either in addition to other offences or in their own right…

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“POCA”) provides a broad range of powers to the police (and other law enforcement authorities) to block, freeze, restrain, or seize assets on the basis of their connection with alleged offences or offenders…